McLaren Kuala Lumpur today unveiled an art car at its headquarters in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.
Contemporary Malaysian artist Karwai Chan was offered the McLaren GT as a canvas to showcase her "Ride Every Wave" artwork, which depicted a series of ocean waves cresting around the body panels of the sports car.
"The project was inspired by how limitless, fearless and unstoppable a McLaren GT is. Just like waves," said Chan.
The artist looked to Chinese “Blue and White pottery” or “Qing Hua Ci” for ideas for the GT piece. McLaren said this is the first time Chinese porcelain art is hand-painted in oils on a supercar.
The 25-year-old lass said it took her 200 hours or two weeks to finish the latest project on the exterior of the GT, which was pre-wrapped for the oil paints to be applied.
She had done some touch-up work yesterday and the paint on the car was still drying at the unveiling today.
Some of her paintings were also displayed at the showroom.
Chan, a self-taught artist, has been learning her craft since the age of 14. Her myriad works include paintings of Formula 1 drivers, celebrities, pop icons and other supercars. She has also contributed some of her paintings to charity.
The RM908,000 GT was launched in Malaysia in November, 2019.
The art car, to be sold at no extra charge, will be on display until it finds a buyer. Meanwhile, it has received expressions of interest.
The eventual buyer of the art car can of course choose to retain or remove the artwork. But it would be a shame to go the latter route, considering the painstaking artistic energy that went into creating this unique piece.
Chan said her next art car project could be a Lamborghini but talks are still at the preliminary stage.
The main shareholders of Lamborghini Kuala Lumpur (SunAgata Supercars Sdn Bhd) are also the franchise holder of McLaren Kuala Lumpur (MC Farren Supercars Sdn Bhd).
WATCH: An art car blooms
